Afghanistan's ambassador to Australia, Mahmoud Saikal, has also asked Australia to send more troops to help bolster security ahead of Afghanistan's 18 September parliamentary elections.

Australia sent 150 special forces soldiers to Afghanistan as part of the U.S.-led offensive that ousted the Taliban regime and their Al-Qaeda allies in late 2001. However, Australia is said to have only one soldier in the country now, helping in mine-clearing operations.